I bought a 98 jeep Cherokee classic about 6 months ago, shes been running great up untill about a week ago when a popcorn like sound started coming from the engine only when im idling or in park does it make this sound. Then yesterday I started her and there was a ticking sound, sounds exactly like a card in the spokes of a bike tire. This sound appears to be coming from the bellhouse casing so I think it might be my flywheel but Im not sure. what are some other possibilities for this sound just so I can start ruling things out, before I tear it all apart.

 

Could be an exhaust leak.

Moving from the Build section to OEM Tech.

 

Take a good look around the fan. Does it change turning the wheel? (power searing pump). Also you might look underneath around the back of the pan.

 

oddly enought the ticking was my ball joint, but I still have the popcorn like sound after much research im almost 100% sure its my flex plate....does any one know where I could buy one asap?

 

Before changing the flexplate, try tightening the bolts on the flexplate first and start it up and see if the ticking is gone. The bolts like to work themselves loose. IIRC flexplates are about $100 at autozone.

 

Never a bad idea to check the torque converter/flex plate bolts. By the back of the pan there is a little dust cover on the bell housing with a few bolts. Bolts are up behind there.